Advanced Care for Gum Disease and Bone Loss
Has your dentist told you that you have periodontitis? While periodontitis falls under the umbrella of gum disease, it represents a more advanced stage — one that can cause serious bone loss if left untreated. At Dr. Fred Alger Periodontics & Implants in Gahanna, our team provides effective periodontitis treatment options to stop infection, save teeth, and restore your oral health.
What Is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is an advanced form of periodontal disease that causes the gums and underlying bone to deteriorate. When bacteria and plaque build up along the gum line, inflammation develops, leading to deep periodontal pockets, gum recession, and the potential for tooth loss.
Common signs and symptoms of periodontitis include:
- Swollen or tender gum tissue
- Bleeding during brushing or flossing
- Bad breath or a persistent unpleasant taste
- Loose or shifting teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Gums that appear dark red or receded
Left untreated, severe periodontitis can damage the roots of the teeth and the jawbone that supports them. Early professional treatment is key to saving your teeth and protecting your overall health.
How Does Gum Disease Develop?
The primary cause of periodontitis is poor oral hygiene, which allows plaque to harden into tartar buildup. These bacteria release toxins that irritate and inflame the gums, leading to an infection beneath the surface. Over time, the immune response triggered by the body can actually break down the tissue and bone that hold teeth in place.
Other risk factors that increase your chances of developing advanced gum disease include:
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Diabetes or other systemic conditions
- Genetic predisposition
- Poor nutrition
- Chronic stress
- Inconsistent dental visits
By maintaining good oral hygiene and seeing your dentist regularly for deep cleanings, many cases of gum disease can be controlled before they progress into periodontitis.
How Is Periodontitis Treated?
Dr. Alger offers a range of non-surgical and surgical treatments for periodontitis, depending on the severity of the infection and the amount of bone loss present. Each treatment plan is designed to eliminate bacteria, promote healing, and restore the supporting structures of the teeth.
Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy
For mild to moderate cases, treatment may begin with scaling and root planing — a form of deep cleaning that removes plaque and bacteria from beneath the gums and smooths the tooth surfaces to encourage reattachment of the gum tissue.
Laser therapy or localized antimicrobials may also be used to reduce bacteria in deep periodontal pockets without surgery.
Surgical Periodontitis Treatment
When infection has advanced or pocket depth remains high after initial care, surgical procedures may be needed to restore your periodontal health.
Dr. Alger performs several types of periodontal surgery:
- Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery): Allows access beneath the gums to remove infection and reduce pocket depth for easier cleaning.
- Osseous Surgery: Smooths irregular bone surfaces and removes bacteria to promote healing and prevent future buildup.
- Bone Grafting and Tissue Regeneration: Restores lost bone and encourages new tissue growth around affected teeth.
Each procedure is performed using local anesthetic for patient comfort and may incorporate regenerative materials to rebuild the bone structure.
Goals of Periodontitis Surgery
The primary objectives of periodontitis treatment are:
- Eliminating infection and reducing bacterial buildup
- Cleaning and smoothing tooth roots to prevent reinfection
- Repairing and regenerating damaged bone tissue
- Restoring healthy gum attachment around teeth
By addressing these goals, Dr. Alger helps patients regain strong, healthy smiles and avoid tooth extractions or dental implants caused by preventable tooth loss.
Why Choose Dr. Fred Alger for Periodontal Treatment?
With decades of specialized training in periodontology and implant surgery, Dr. Alger combines advanced clinical skill with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. He carefully evaluates each case, using digital imaging and diagnostic tools to measure bone loss and design a customized treatment plan that fits your unique needs.
Dr. Alger and his team are committed to providing:
- Evidence-based periodontal therapy supported by the American Academy of Periodontology
- Minimally invasive techniques when possible
- A focus on long-term gum health and prevention of recurring infection
- Collaboration with your general dentist to ensure comprehensive care
Protecting Your Health Beyond Your Smile
Treating periodontitis isn’t just about your teeth — it also benefits your overall health. Studies show strong links between periodontal disease and heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic health conditions. Managing inflammation of the gums helps reduce these risks while improving your quality of life.
Following treatment, patients are encouraged to maintain consistent periodontal maintenance visits every three to four months, along with daily brushing, flossing, and healthy nutrition habits to support healing and prevent recurrence.
Restore Your Smile Back to Health
If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontitis, Dr. Alger is uniquely qualified to care for your gums and save your smile. Through personalized periodontitis treatment, our team can stop infection, restore your oral health, and protect your teeth for years to come.